Following the research from the RAC at the start of this year, which states 71% of drivers claim road markings in their local areas have faded away, with 92% believing it has made driving more dangerous, WJ Group has highlighted the essential role that clear, well-maintained road markings play in protecting road users.
The study also found 72% say the problem has worsened over the past five years, and more than a fifth of drivers (21%) say most road markings in their local area have faded away completely.1
The loss of clear markings is already affecting driver behaviour, with 63% of motorists saying they have had to guess where lanes are, 38% reporting they have ended up in the wrong lane, and 16% experiencing a near-miss as a result of faded road markings.
John Warne, Business Development and Marketing Director at WJ, explains: “Road markings provide vital visual information that enables drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to understand priority, lane discipline, speed and safe crossing points. They help road users anticipate the actions of others, particularly at junctions, crossings and on high-speed or multi-lane roads, reducing uncertainty and the likelihood of incidents.
“When markings deteriorate, these safety cues are lost, which means drivers are forced to rely on judgement rather than clear instruction, increasing the risk of near misses. For vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, faded crossings, stop lines and cycle lanes significantly reduce levels of protection.”
“Maintaining high-quality road markings is one of the most cost-effective interventions available to highway authorities. Compared with the wider social and economic cost of collisions, near-misses and driver confusion, and investment in durable, high-performance markings deliver significant safety benefits at relatively low cost. In many cases, we should be looking at installing materials that far exceed the standard and deliver long term performance above the required levels.
“Other performance factors such as retro-reflectivity and visibility in poor weather or at night directly influence how effectively markings support safe behaviour on the road network. High-performing permanent markings can remain visible throughout their service life, reducing uncertainty and helping road users react safely in all conditions.
“Road markings are a critical part of the road safety system, which is why the quality and durability of the materials used matters so much. At WJ Group, we deliver high-performance road markings, such as our Weatherline range, designed to remain visible in all conditions and over a longer life as when markings perform as they should, they give road users clear, consistent information and help reduce the risk of collisions.
“It would be beneficial for central government to support local authorities with increased, long-term funding for road maintenance and safety infrastructure to enable them to invest for the long term and achieve better returns on investment. Close collaboration between local authorities and specialist road marking contractors, such as WJ Group, would also support more effective long-term asset management approaches, helping to ensure available funding is targeted where the need is greatest and delivers the maximum safety benefit.”
For more information, go to www.wj.uk/
1. www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motoring-news/road-markings-are-rapidly-disappearing-from-britains-roads/
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